Portable device for holding a liquid container and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A portable device for holding a liquid container has a substantially rigid vertical handle which may be manually graspable by a user. The vertical handle has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end has a rounded configuration to prevent a hand of the user from sliding up the vertical handle. A substantially rigid top container gripping member extends horizontally from the upper end of the vertical handle. A substantially rigid bottom container gripping member extends horizontally from the lower end of the vertical handle.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application entitled “PORTABLE DEVICE FOR HOLDING A LIQUID CONTAINER” having a Ser. No. of 10/404,030, filed Apr. 2, 2003, in the names of the same inventors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates generally to container holding devices, and more specifically, to a device for holding a liquid container having the characteristics of portability, durability, adaptability and ease of use.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Today, most beverages or liquids for consumer use are contained in a bottle, can or carton. These containers vary in size and shape.

[0006] In order to pour the liquid from its container, one must grasp the bottle, can or carton and tilt it. It is somewhat difficult to tilt these containers because they do not have a handle for the user to grasp.

[0007] An even greater difficulty arises when the container is too heavy or too large. Without a handle, the user is usually required to use two hands to tilt the bottle or carton. This can become awkward as the user is unable to simultaneously hold another object, such as the cup into which the user is pouring the liquid. If the user is unable to maintain a firm grasp on the container, the user will pour the liquid inaccurately and uncontrollably, causing the liquid to spill. Furthermore, if the user is unable to hold the cup, it may topple as the liquid is being poured into it.

[0008] A number of bottle holders are already in existence. U.S. Pat. No. 5,025,940 describes a strap member that serves as a handle. However, this strap is thin and highly flexible. The lack of rigidity compromises the amount of control that the user has over the container as it is tilted. Furthermore, the instability of the strap may cause the base member to slip off of the bottom of the bottle as it is tilted, causing spillage.

[0009] Another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,876, discloses a bottle holder with two gripping members oriented in opposite directions. In order to remove the device from the bottle, the user must first remove one gripping member and then remove the other. This process may prove to be awkward. Furthermore, while one gripping member is being removed, the other attached gripping member must sustain a substantial amount of torque. If the user is not careful, this process may cause the gripping member to break off.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,197 discloses a bottle holder having an upper gripping member that fits over the bottle flange. This gripping member, however, may be applied only after removing the cap. This may lead to spillage while the user is attempting to fit the gripping member over the bottle mouth and over the flange.

[0011] None of the aforementioned patents are capable of being used with a carton container. Furthermore, none of the above patents disclose a handle having a finger gripping configuration for providing a firm grasp by the user.

[0012] Therefore, a need existed for a portable and durable device for holding either a round bottle container or a carton container comprising a substantially rigid handle having a finger gripping configuration for providing a firm grasp by the user and identically oriented container gripping members that may be rapidly attached and removed while the container remains either opened or closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a portable and durable device for holding a small bottle comprising a substantially rigid handle for providing a firm grasp by the user and identically oriented container gripping members that may be rapidly attached and removed while the container remains either open or closed.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and durable device for holding a large (i.e. two liter) bottle comprising a substantially rigid handle for providing a firm grasp by the user, identically oriented container gripping members that may be attached and removed while the container remains closed, and an attachable gripping member to provide more support if desired.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a portable and durable device for holding a carton comprising a substantially rigid handle having for providing a firm grasp by the user, a top gripping member, and an identically oriented base member for receiving and supporting the bottom of the carton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a portable device for holding a liquid container is disclosed. The portable device has a substantially rigid vertical handle which may be manually graspable by a user. The vertical handle has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end has a rounded configuration to prevent a hand of the user from sliding up the vertical handle. A substantially rigid top container gripping member extends horizontally from the upper end of the vertical handle. The top container gripping member is substantially C-shaped. A substantially rigid bottom container gripping member extends horizontally from the lower end of the vertical handle. The bottom gripping member is substantially oval shaped.

[0017] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a portable device for holding a liquid container is disclosed. The device has a substantially rigid vertical handle which may be manually graspable by a user. The vertical handle has an upper end and a lower end. The upper end has a rounded configuration to prevent a hand of the user from sliding up the vertical handle. A substantially rigid top container gripping member extends horizontally from the upper end of the vertical handle. The top container gripping member is substantially square-shaped. A substantially rigid base container holding member extending horizontally from the lower end of the vertical handle, the base container holding member having a substantially square-shaped configuration. A bottom rim support surface extends out from the substantially square-shaped configuration to support the liquid container.

[0018] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0020]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the container gripping device of the present invention, shown coupled to a 1 Liter bottle.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container gripping device of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a top view of the top container gripping member of the container gripping device of FIG. 1, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 3A is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the top container gripping member of FIG. 3.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of the container gripping device of the present invention, shown coupled to a 2 Liter bottle and shown with an additional attachable container gripping member, if needed, in phantom lines.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container gripping device of FIG. 4, shown with the attachable container gripping member in phantom lines separated from the remainder portion of the device.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the tongue-and-groove connection of the device of FIG. 4, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a top view of the bottom container gripping member of FIG. 5, taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the container gripping device of the present invention, shown coupled to a carton.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 8, taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the base member of the device of FIG. 8.

[0031]FIG. 11 is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of a container gripping device of the present invention, used for holding a 2 Liter bottle.

[0032]FIG. 12 is an elevated perspective view of another embodiment of a container gripping device of the present invention, used for holding a carton.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0033]FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a portable device 10 for holding a liquid container 11 such as a small 1 Liter bottle having a cylindrical body 12 and a narrow neck 13 with an annular flange 14. The device 10 comprises a substantially rigid vertical handle 20. The vertical handle 20 has an upper end 21, a lower end 22, and a finger gripping configuration 23 for providing the user with providing a firm grasp of the device 10. The device 10 also has a substantially rigid top gripping member 30 extending horizontally from the upper end 21 of the vertical handle 20. The top container gripping member 30 is substantially C-shaped and sized to engage the neck 13 of the bottle 11 directly under the annular flange 14. The device 10 also has a substantially rigid bottom container gripping member 40 extending horizontally from the lower end 22 of the vertical handle 20. The bottom container gripping member 40 is substantially C-shaped and sized to engage the cylindrical body 12 of the bottle 11. As shown, the top container gripping member 30 and the bottom container gripping member 40 are identically oriented in the same direction.

[0034]FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show a portable device 110 for holding a liquid container 111 such as a large 2 Liter bottle having a cylindrical body 112 and a narrow neck 113 with an annular flange 114. The device 110 comprises a substantially rigid vertical handle 120. The vertical handle 120 has an upper end 121, a lower end 122, and a finger gripping configuration 123 for providing the user with providing a firm grasp of the device 110. The device 110 also has a substantially rigid top container gripping member 130 extending horizontally from the upper end 121 of the vertical handle 120. The top gripping member 130 is substantially C-shaped and sized to engage the neck 113 of the bottle 111 directly under the annular flange 114. The device 110 also has a substantially rigid bottom container gripping member 140 extending horizontally from the lower end 122 of the vertical handle 120. The bottom container gripping member 140 is substantially C-shaped and sized to engage the cylindrical body 112 of the bottle 111. These figures also depict a substantially rigid attachable container gripping member 150 extending horizontally for providing additional container holding support if desired. The attachable container gripping member 150 is substantially C-shaped and sized to engage the cylindrical body 112 of the bottle 111. The attachable container gripping member 150 also has a connection end 151 extending upward for attaching to the lower end 122 of the vertical handle 120. The connection end 151 also has a ridged edge 152 (see FIG. 5). The lower end 122 of the vertical handle 120 has a slot 124 for receiving the corresponding ridged edge 152 in a tongue-and-groove type connection 154 (shown in FIG. 6). Other types of connections may be used, if desired. As shown, the top container gripping member 130, the bottom container gripping member 140, and the attachable container gripping member 150 are identically oriented in the same direction.

[0035]FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the top container gripping member 30. And FIG. 3A shows an alternate embodiment of the top container gripping member 30A, wherein the substantially C-shaped top container gripping member 30A has a flat extension end portion 31A on which the user may push to aid in removal of the top gripping member 30A from the liquid container 11.

[0036]FIG. 6 illustrates the slot 124 on the lower end 122 of the vertical handle 120. It also shows the corresponding ridged edge 152 on the connection end 151 of the attachable container gripping member 150. The ridged edge 152 and the slot 124 are preferably shown to be combined in a tongue-and-groove connection 154.

[0037]FIG. 7 shows the bottom container gripping member 140.

[0038]FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show a portable device 210 for holding a liquid container 211 such as a carton 211 having a substantially rectangular body 212 and a substantially square bottom 213. The device 210 comprises a substantially rigid vertical handle 220. The vertical handle 220 has an upper end 221, a lower end 222, and a finger gripping configuration 223 for providing the user with providing a firm grasp of the device 210. The device 210 also has a substantially rigid top container gripping member 230 extending horizontally from the upper end 221 of the vertical handle 220. The top container gripping member 230 is substantially square-shaped and sized to engage the substantially rectangular body 212 of the carton 211. The device 210 also has a substantially rigid base member 240 extending horizontally from the lower end 222 of the vertical handle 220. The base member 240 has a substantially square raised portion 241 and a bottom surface 242 (see FIG. 10). The base member 240 is shaped to receive and support the bottom 213 of the carton 211. As shown, the top container gripping member 230 and the base member 240 are identically oriented in the same direction. To use the device 210, a carton 211 is passed through the top container gripping member 230 and received into the base member 240 so as to securely hold the carton 211 as it is tilted.

[0039]FIG. 10 shows the substantially square raised portion 241 of the base member 240 and the bottom surface 242 of the base member 240.

[0040]FIG. 11 shows a portable device 310 for holding a liquid container such as a large 2 Liter bottle. The portable device 310 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The device 310 comprises a substantially rigid vertical handle 320. The vertical handle 320 has an upper end 321 and a lower end 322. Just below the upper end 321 is a lip member 323 for preventing the user's hand from sliding too far up the vertical handle 320.

[0041] The device 310 has a substantially rigid top container gripping member 330 extending horizontally from the upper end 321 of the vertical handle 320. The top gripping member 330 is substantially C-shaped and sized to engage the neck of the bottle directly under the annular flange. At each end of the gripping member 330 is an angled member 331. The angled member 331 is angled away from the opening 332 of the top gripping member 330. The angled member 331 is used to guide the neck of the bottle into the top gripping member 330.

[0042] The device 310 also has a substantially rigid bottom container gripping member 340 extending horizontally from the lower end 322 of the vertical handle 320. The bottom container gripping member 340 is substantially circular shaped. The bottom container gripping member 340 is sized so that the rounded bottom of a bottle will slide and engage the bottom section of the cylindrical body of the bottle. When properly attached, and the bottle is standing upright on a surface, the bottom section of the bottom container gripping member 340 will lay flush against the surface as well. This will prevent the bottle from tipping over when the bottle is fairly empty.

[0043] The top container gripping member 330 and the bottom container gripping member 340 may have gripping surface 342 formed on the interior surface thereof. The gripping surface 342 will allow the top container gripping member 330 and the bottom container gripping member 340 to form a tighter grip on the bottle inserted into the device 310. The gripping surface may be ridges, a rubberized surface, or the like. The listing of the above should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0044]FIG. 12 show a portable device 410 for holding a liquid container such as a carton having a substantially rectangular body and a substantially square bottom. The device 410 comprises a substantially rigid vertical handle 420. The vertical handle 420 has an upper end 421 and a lower end 422. Just below the upper end 421 is a lip member 423 for preventing the user's hand from sliding too far up the vertical handle 420. The device 410 has a substantially rigid top container gripping member 430 extending horizontally from the upper end 421 of the vertical handle 420. The top container gripping member 430 is substantially square-shaped and sized to engage the substantially rectangular body of the carton. The device 410 also has a substantially rigid base member 440 extending horizontally from the lower end 222 of the vertical handle 420. The base member 440 is shaped to receive and support the bottom of the carton. The base member 440 has a substantially square raised portion 441. A bottom rim surface 442 extends slightly out from the base member 440 such that there is a large opening in the bottom area of the base member 440. The bottom rim surface 442 is used to support the bottom of the carton placed in the device 410.

[0045] The top container gripping member 430 and the bottom container gripping member 440 may have gripping surface 448 formed on the interior surface thereof. The gripping surface 448 will allow the top container gripping member 430 and the bottom container gripping member 440 to form a tighter grip on the carton inserted into the device 410. The gripping surface 448 may be ridges, a rubberized surface, or the like. The listing of the above should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0046] The top container gripping member 430 and the base member 440 are identically oriented in the same direction. To use the device 410, a carton is passed through the top container gripping member 430 and received into the base member 440 so as to securely hold the carton as it is tilted.

[0047] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable device for holding a liquid container comprising: a substantially rigid vertical handle manually graspable by a user, the vertical handle having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a rounded configuration to prevent a hand of the user from sliding up the vertical handle; a substantially rigid top container gripping member extending horizontally from the upper end of the vertical handle, the top container gripping member being substantially C-shaped; and a substantially rigid bottom container gripping member extending horizontally from the lower end of the vertical handle, the bottom gripping member being substantially oval shaped.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the top gripping member further comprises winged members coupled to each end of the substantially rigid top container gripping member and angled away from an opening of the substantially C-shaped substantially rigid top container gripping member for guiding a neck of the liquid container into the substantially rigid top container gripping member.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the bottom container gripping member is sized to engage the substantially cylindrical body of the liquid container.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the top container gripping member and the bottom container gripping member are identically oriented.
 5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a gripping surface formed in an interior area of the substantially rigid top container gripping member.
 6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a gripping surface formed in an interior area of the substantially rigid bottom container gripping member.
 7. The device of claim 1 further comprising a gripping surface formed in an interior area of the substantially rigid top container gripping member and an interior area of the substantially rigid bottom container gripping member.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the gripping surface is a plurality of ridges formed in the interior area of the substantially rigid top container gripping member and the interior area of the substantially rigid bottom container gripping member.
 9. The device of claim 7 wherein the gripping surface is a rubberized surface formed in the interior area of the substantially rigid top container gripping member and the interior area of the substantially rigid bottom container gripping member.
 10. A portable device for holding a liquid container comprising: a substantially rigid vertical handle manually graspable by a user, the vertical handle having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end having a rounded configuration to prevent a hand of the user from sliding up the vertical handle; a substantially rigid top container gripping member extending horizontally from the upper end of the vertical handle, the top container gripping member being substantially square-shaped; and a substantially rigid base container holding member extending horizontally from the lower end of the vertical handle, the base container holding member having a substantially square-shaped configuration, a bottom rim support surface extending out from the substantially square-shaped wall configuration to support the liquid container.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein the liquid container is a carton having a substantially rectangular body and a substantially square bottom.
 12. The device of claim 10 wherein the top container gripping member is sized to engage a body of the carton.
 13. The device of claim 10 wherein the base container holding member is shaped to receive and support a bottom portion of the carton.
 14. The device of claim 10 wherein the top container gripping member and the base container holding member are identically oriented, such that a carton extends through the top container gripping member and is received in the base container holding member whereby the carton is securely held as it is tilted.
 15. The device of claim 10 further comprising a gripping surface formed in an interior area of the substantially rigid base container holding member.
 16. The device of claim 10 further comprising a gripping surface formed in an interior area of the substantially rigid top container gripping member.
 17. The device of claim 10 further comprising a gripping surface formed in an interior area of the substantially rigid base container holding member and in an interior area of the substantially rigid top container gripping member.
 18. The device of claim 17 wherein the gripping surface is a plurality of ridges formed in the interior area of the substantially rigid top container gripping member and the interior area of the substantially rigid bottom container gripping member.
 19. The device of claim 17 wherein the gripping surface is a rubberized surface formed in the interior area of the substantially rigid top container gripping member and the interior area of the substantially rigid bottom container gripping member. 